With the Western Cape Fire Season in full swing, residents can be rest assured that the National Department of environmental affairs’ Working on Fie Programme has dedicated national firefighting resources across the province.

These consist of close to 1,000 professional wildland firefighters, more than 65 support vehicles (4×4 fire trucks, strike units, transport busses and aviation support vehicles), 36 specially trained aerial firefighting pilots and 26 aircraft, which includes Spotters, AT 802’s and Hueys equipped with Bambi Buckets. These resources are ready to provide much needed support to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, local municipalities, Fire Protection Associations and Conservation Agencies during wildfire operations.

In addition to the above-mentioned services, Working on Fire’s has also successfully implemented Helitack and Flying Crewmen programmes. These training programmes form part of Working on Fire’s dedication to upskilling and enabling young South Africans, while contributing to the safety of people and their properties when faced with unwanted wildfires.

They enable Working on Fire Aviation to fight unwanted wildfires more effectively and at the same time enhance the safety of Working on Fire’s aerial firefighting operations.

On behalf of its clients and partners, Working on Fire has established aerial bases across the Western Cape at which there are 24 Helicopter Flying Crewmen and 8 Heli-Tack Teams. These resources, along with the aircraft and the various ground resources, are ready to battle unwanted wildfires wherever they may appear.